Small dog attacked toddler while in walk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This all happened yesterday so still processing.

I was walking with my toddler (22 months) and infant. Infant strapped to chest as toddler is about a foot in front of me. A very small terrier mix ran from porch and started attacking DD. Bit her on the legs and would not let go. Dog owner (woman in her 60s) yelled at dog to stop, in a panic I kicked the dog hard. The dog let go and ran back to the porch and neighbor screamed at me for kicking dog. I swooped crying toddler up and headed home.

DH took her to urgent care and they asked for address of dog owner so they can attempt to get vaccination record. Police went and thankfully dog is up to date on vaccines but is being quarantined. DD got antibiotic shot but is ok.

Today an officer came by to question us about the incident. The neighbors are claiming we came on to property and assaulted the dog.

DH is fuming and wants to get a lawyer and sue for damages (medical bills, which overall aren’t that bad).

I am not a confrontational person. These people live 8 houses down. We are fairly new to area and I don’t want this to become a bigger issue.

I do think they should offer to pay for DD medical expenses. I’m confused as to why they say we went onto their property and I kicked dog. All this took place on sidewalk and I kicked the dog to get it off my child?

Should we get a lawyer? Especially if our neighbors are going to accuse me of something I did not do?

Ask the police for ring camera details.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a quick sidebar to say that sometimes in these situations the best way to handle them for the bite victim is to grab the dog by its rear hips and attempt to drag it. It may release its grip this way and unless it’s of overpowering strength, you can have a lot of control over the dog if you maintain your grip.

While it may be cathartic and a survivalist instinct to kick it like you’re a place kicker in the NFL, grabbing it as I’ve described should be considered.

She’s really going to do that with her baby strapped to her chest and her daughter’s limb in the dog’s mouth

Well, OP’s probably not going to time travel back to the attack that already occurred, so it’s still good advice in general for people who aren’t sure what to do during a dog attack. Everyone show know this approach, even if it can’t be implemented 100% of the time.

[Anonymous]

You did nothing wrong. I would have done the exact same thing. I'm sorry the neighbor is inhinged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been attacked by dogs while I'm on the sidewalk, and both times the homeowners insurance settled with my attorney, I got medical costs plus some pain and suffering too so, you may get more than just the out-of-pocket costs.

Sometimes suing is the only way to get the dog owner to behave responsibly (especially if the dog owner blames everyone but him/herself.) A friend of mine used to let his dogs run loose and they frequently bit people who were out on a job, biking by, or gardening in their own yards. He refused to leash them until one of the victims took him to court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been attacked by dogs while I'm on the sidewalk, and both times the homeowners insurance settled with my attorney, I got medical costs plus some pain and suffering too so, you may get more than just the out-of-pocket costs.

+1

Again, treble damages in certain jurisdictions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

They are counting on you being nice to them, OP - all the more reason to sue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all happened yesterday so still processing.

I was walking with my toddler (22 months) and infant. Infant strapped to chest as toddler is about a foot in front of me. A very small terrier mix ran from porch and started attacking DD. Bit her on the legs and would not let go. Dog owner (woman in her 60s) yelled at dog to stop, in a panic I kicked the dog hard. The dog let go and ran back to the porch and neighbor screamed at me for kicking dog. I swooped crying toddler up and headed home.

DH took her to urgent care and they asked for address of dog owner so they can attempt to get vaccination record. Police went and thankfully dog is up to date on vaccines but is being quarantined. DD got antibiotic shot but is ok.

Today an officer came by to question us about the incident. The neighbors are claiming we came on to property and assaulted the dog.

DH is fuming and wants to get a lawyer and sue for damages (medical bills, which overall aren’t that bad).

I am not a confrontational person. These people live 8 houses down. We are fairly new to area and I don’t want this to become a bigger issue.

I do think they should offer to pay for DD medical expenses. I’m confused as to why they say we went onto their property and I kicked dog. All this took place on sidewalk and I kicked the dog to get it off my child?

Should we get a lawyer? Especially if our neighbors are going to accuse me of something I did not do?

Ask the police for ring camera details.

We have Ring footage from across the street neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would kill any dog on the spot if it sank its teeth into my kid.

How?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

When my kids have been treated for injuries, our health insurance company has sent us questionnaires asking where the injuries occurred—I’m assuming to see if there’s anyone else who could be held liable to pay for the medical treatment. I wonder if when your health insurance sees that this was a dog bite related visit they will go after the dog owners’ homeowners insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

When my kids have been treated for injuries, our health insurance company has sent us questionnaires asking where the injuries occurred—I’m assuming to see if there’s anyone else who could be held liable to pay for the medical treatment. I wonder if when your health insurance sees that this was a dog bite related visit they will go after the dog owners’ homeowners insurance.

Possibly. I’ll give them a call tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

You did the right thing OP. I love dogs and would have kicked any dog that attacked my kid. I too am non-confrontational, but her behavior warrants hiring a lawyer. You are protecting other people by doing so. She is a terrible person with no sense of humanity. She needs to watch her darn dog and pay for damages and emotional distress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

How will you feel if in a few weeks another kid gets attacked but loses an eye or a finger. The fact that the neighbors are doubling down is terrifying. That means they have zero remorse and will do nothing in the future to stop the dog from attacking again. My guess is that if you sue, you will be the neighborhood hero. If they had apologized and offered to pay a small amount, I would have suggested letting it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all happened yesterday so still processing.

I was walking with my toddler (22 months) and infant. Infant strapped to chest as toddler is about a foot in front of me. A very small terrier mix ran from porch and started attacking DD. Bit her on the legs and would not let go. Dog owner (woman in her 60s) yelled at dog to stop, in a panic I kicked the dog hard. The dog let go and ran back to the porch and neighbor screamed at me for kicking dog. I swooped crying toddler up and headed home.

DH took her to urgent care and they asked for address of dog owner so they can attempt to get vaccination record. Police went and thankfully dog is up to date on vaccines but is being quarantined. DD got antibiotic shot but is ok.

Today an officer came by to question us about the incident. The neighbors are claiming we came on to property and assaulted the dog.

DH is fuming and wants to get a lawyer and sue for damages (medical bills, which overall aren’t that bad).

I am not a confrontational person. These people live 8 houses down. We are fairly new to area and I don’t want this to become a bigger issue.

I do think they should offer to pay for DD medical expenses. I’m confused as to why they say we went onto their property and I kicked dog. All this took place on sidewalk and I kicked the dog to get it off my child?

Should we get a lawyer? Especially if our neighbors are going to accuse me of something I did not do?

Ask the police for ring camera details.

We have Ring footage from across the street neighbor.

Great - this is huge. I have never consulted a lawyer for anything other than estate planning and real estate contract reviews, but I would strongly consider going the lawyer route on this in order to discourage the neighbor from irresponsible behavior. Even if there was no chance of recouping all the expenses, I would consider it worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

If you have any further interactions with this neighbor, you need to record it. You already know she’s a liar to a ridiculous degree. She could say that your husband threatened her or even assaulted her, while trying to put on the sweet, pitiful, old lady act.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

How will you feel if in a few weeks another kid gets attacked but loses an eye or a finger. The fact that the neighbors are doubling down is terrifying. That means they have zero remorse and will do nothing in the future to stop the dog from attacking again. My guess is that if you sue, you will be the neighborhood hero. If they had apologized and offered to pay a small amount, I would have suggested letting it go.

+1

I would not be surprised if fellow neighbors approach you and tell you this person has been a problem for decades, OP.